10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
41 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
19 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,865 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Toyota Prius brakes problems

brakes problem

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2010 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 9 of 26)

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problem #348

Jul 112020

Prius

  • 109,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brakes went completely out on the vehicle while driving on the highway. I had no ability at all other than the emergency brake. The dealer said that the cause was the brake booster and master brake cylinder.

- Williston, VT, USA

problem #347

Jul 182020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 142,300 miles
I was at highway speed when four annunciator lights illuminated on the dash (master warning, brake system warning light, ABS warning light, slip indicator). I decelerated vehicle using engine power then applied brakes. Brake pedal depressed approx. 3/4 travel (much further than normal) before braking action felt. I stopped vehicle, recycled power and warning lights remained illuminated and brake responsiveness was unchanged. Upon reaching destination, I downloaded error code (C1391) then called local Toyota service center. Informed that enhanced warranty letter zjb addressed this issue, however coverage expired 6 weeks ago. Service center directed me to Toyota customer care. Toyota customer care confirmed that the repair coverage had recently expired and they were not able to offer any assistance whatsoever. Due to the global pandemic, my driving had been severely curtailed since March. Now July, a required work trip led to this malfunction. This issue should be classified as a recall and not a warranty with an expiration. A major, flee-wide braking issue should require the manufacturer to repair.

- Horseshoe Bay, TX, USA

problem #346

Jul 172020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
Prius has less than 100K miles and has been running perfectly. Today while driving, the brake, ABS and traction control lights came on simultaneously and began alarming, while suddenly my brake locked up. This could cause accident and injury if it occurred under the right circumstances. Apparently there was a previous brake booster recall that I was never notified of and which has since expired. This recall should be reissued to include the many 2010 priuses affected by this problem.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #345

Jul 022020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brakes failed on the vehicle and I lost all ability to stop. Several dashboard lights were triggered about loss of ABS and braking. I was able to stop the vehicle only through the emergency brake. The Toyota dealer indicated that the problem was a failed brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies. There have been numerous complaints about this issue and tpyota needs to recall and repair this iissue.

- Williston, VT, USA

problem #344

Jun 242020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Traction warning light, brake light and ABS light all came on at same time while driving on the highway. I was told by a Toyota dealership it is a malfunction with the brake booster which is roughly a $3000 repair job at Toyota dealership. Customer support program "zjb" was created by Toyota North America for this issue in response to thousands of Prius models experiencing this severe malfunction, however, my 2010 Prius is no longer eligible for coverage for this repair, even though other Prius models are still eligible for complete coverage for this repair. This is a safety hazard and Toyota North America needs to stand by coverage for this grave malfunction for all models regardless of year or mileage. The dealership told me the car is not safe to drive, the brakes are not operating at full capacity. This is a safety hazard and happened while I was driving on the highway.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #343

Feb 122020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 195,000 miles
My ABS system started showing signs of problems, and I started getting codes for all sorts of brake-related issues. My brakes ended up locking up and not working, and my battery in my car died because it was the brake system was not able to recharge my battery. Even though I started having issues with it in February, apparently Toyota said that because I had a 2010 Prius, that since November 31, 2019 had passed, the recall/extended warranty "ran out" on it. Even though this is a problem that obviously wasn't fixed in the first place. So when I took it to the dealership to get a diagnostics ran on it, they said that they needed $3,200 to fix the vehicle. This included both the purchasing and installation of a new brake booster/master cylinder assem and an ABS pump motor assem. I obviously do not have the money for the repair and they are telling me to go kick rocks. This is not right and because of the brake issue not being fixed in the first place, it then allowed my battery (which runs around $1,500) to get completely drained and prevented it from being properly recharged by the brake system.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #342

Jun 092020

Prius

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 40 mph, the vehicle in front suddenly stopped, the brake pedal was depressed however it failed to engage causing him to rear end the other vehicle. The contact mentioned that her husband was already depressing the brake pedal when they completely failed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the front seat passenger in the other vehicle was transported to the hospital by ambulance due to feeling nauseous. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to auto body repair facility where it was awaiting inspection by the insurance company. The contact stated that the vehicle was a possible total loss aas the radiator and engine was damaged. The vehicle had been serviced at clearwater Toyota (21799 us hwy 19 N, clearwater, fl 33765 800-667-905) for a brake issue. The dealer refused to repair the brakes under an extended warranty due to an incorrect consistent failure code. The manufacturer stated that the sensor was not alerting enough for the repairs to be covered. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #341

Jun 012020

Prius

  • miles
I brought my Toyota Prius to Toyota dealer as ABS alert was on and I lost controlling the brake. Toyota dealer gave me an estimate for repair at $2,850 ( P1391 abnormal leak in accumulator pump rec master cylinder with brake booster and brake booster pimp assembly) due warranty enhancement expired 05.09.2020 or 150,000, miles. I've got ABS alert in the beginning of may'20, however, due to covid-19 stay-home order, I had to stay home and won't able to bring my car until end of may, .2020. I was advised by Toyota dealership to contact Toyota customer relation as they may consider to extend the warranty, so I contacted Toyota customer relation( actually I was transferred to financial department) and they denied to extend the warranty, and they repeated as " warranty is warranty". I was very disappointed with Toyota's unkind decision and service under covid-19 situation. I read Toyota 2010 has problems of brake issues, so I want Toyota take a responsibility to fix my brake problem.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

problem #340

May 012020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
Brakes and vdc system constantly engage during U-turns, tight turning circles, causing the car to brake unexpectedly. While not accident has happened, it has caused a few near misses as my window to turn shrinks because the car is braking.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #339

May 222020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 97,320 miles
While driving on the highway the ABS warning light, brake light and traction light all came on at once, took to local Toyota specialist, diagnosed the code as C1391, an abnormal leak in break booster accumulator. Mechanic informed me that this issue was previously under safety recall and my vehicle had the proper repairs done, clearly this is an ongoing safety issue with this vehicle that is not being properly addressed by Toyota. It is also an extremely expensive repair which Toyota needs to be financially responsible for.

- Bushnell, FL, USA

problem #338

May 132020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brakes failed while driving car (in motion) which almost caused an accident. The red warning "brake" light, yellow "ABS" and yellow traction control light all illuminated. This apparently is a known issue for the Toyota Prius and I have contacted them concerning the issue but they will not pay to fix the problem. My car cannot be driven at this point. This issue is a serious hazard and could easily result in an accident. They need to issue a recall.

- Solana Beach, CA, USA

problem #337

May 152020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 196,000 miles
Code C-1391 leak in brake accumulator.these should be a recall with Toyota putting a bad brake accumulator in Prius model.I notice it was a secondary recall with this part.Toyota know this is a safety problem when this happen the car goes to manual breaking and you can lose control of the car.please look into this problem.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #336

May 162020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 203,000 miles
Warning lights for ABS, brake and symbol indicating traction control is operating all lit simultaneously with a corresponding change in brake pedal feel. Toyota dealer diagnosed brake booster failure and initially quoted $1,915 to repair then called back to revise this to $2,915. There have been recalls on this part just not covering my VIN.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #335

May 152020

Prius

  • 159,000 miles
On Friday, May 15 2020 I turned on my car and saw ABS, brake and vehicle traction lights illuminated. The brake peddle also felt odd. Within 30 minutes I took it to my local Toyota dealer. The service writer had a clear idea of what was happening as she said this has been happening a lot to Prius models. Sure enough the diagnostic code C1391. I was told I needed to replace the brake booster/pump assembly which would cost me $3,000! upon research, my car was covered under a tsb till November 30, 2019, but only if they failed. There was no recall issued by tms to pro-actively fix a known brake deficiency. My car has 159,000 miles, I have never had anyone service my vehicle besides Toyota dealerships (except tires). I called tms to corporate to see if I could be offered assistance, but was flat out denied (I can provide that case number if needed).I find it odd that Toyota began phase2 on 2011-2015 for same issue that lasts till April 2021. It is unsettling that if Toyota knows about the brake booster and pump problems, why they don't have a recall, but rather a wait and see if it fails under their 'secondary/enhanced warranty'. upset that if this happened 5 months ago, this would have fallen under their guideline to repair.

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

problem #334

May 022020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
Toyota usa failed to honor repair defect within the brake booster pump assembly. When this defect occurs, various warning lamps on the instrument panel made illuminate, I experience increased stopping distance, reduced hydraulic pressure within your brake system, the deactivation of brake assist, & the deactivation of vehicle stability control.Toyota previously issued at least 2 safety recalls. Designed to prevent similar dangerous occurrences. However, hundreds of thousands of Prius models 2010-2015 were excluded from those safety recalls including my 2010 model. As of today Toyota usa filed case number 2005052305. Safety recall in torrance California dated June 4, 2013 stated Toyota sales usa was conducting a voluntary safety recall involving over 87,000 model 2010 Toyota Prius however I called Toyota today and the insisted my vehicle was excluded even though in barely has 100,000 miles we just began to experience these brake symptoms. Customer rep insisted it was Toyota voluntary recall not enforced so my vehicle did not even qualified for a customer support service. Please help us have Toyota fix this safety issue asap before someone has a mayor accident. Warning lights for ABS, stability control, and warning lights all came on at once. Brakes became spongy when pressed. Was able to still brake but with much more effort and not confident in the braking. I had it towed to a local mechanic and the diagnostic error code registered "C1391". per mechanic this is for ABS accumulator, or booster pump failure or leak per mechanic. This happened out of the blue, no warnings. Per Toyota the part required are cylinder assembly brake and brake pump assembly. Cost to repair these parts per Toyota would be estimated at $2700.. attached video of actuator's loud noise it produces & dashboard showing ABS failed& brakes lights/also failed attempt to solve this with Toyota usa.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #333

Apr 292020

Prius 4-cyl

  • miles
The Prius have been great and have been serviced with oil changes, spark plugs etc. It runs like a champ with 159K miles, but all of a sudden one day, the traction control, ABS, and brake lights all came on at once. The brake pressure feels softer and that whirring noise is heard every few seconds. Dealership said it was the brake actuator and would cost 3K to fix. Apparently there was an extended warranty for it but it ended in November 2019. Attempted to call Toyota, but no help.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #332

Apr 072020

Prius

  • miles
Defect within the brake booster pump assembly. If this defect occurs, various warning lamps on the instrument panel made illuminate, I experience increased stopping distance, reduced hydraulic pressure within your brake system, the deactivation of brake assist, and/or the deactivation of vehicle stability control. Toyota has previously issued at least two safety recalls ' D0H and K0L ' designed to prevent similar dangerous occurrences. However, hundreds of thousands of generation III Prius vehicles (2010-2015 model years) were excluded from those safety recalls.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #331

Feb 012020

Prius

  • 155,000 miles
ABS break parking light come

- Walker, LA, USA

problem #330

Mar 112020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 195,140 miles
While driving, we made a left turn on a city street, warning lights for ABS, stability control, and warning lights all came on at once. Brakes became spongy when pressed. Was able to still brake but with much more effort and not confident in the braking. I had it towed to a local mechanic and the diagnostic error code registered "C1391". per mechanic this is for ABS acculator, or booster pump failure or leak per mechanic. This happened out of the blue, no warnings. Luckily while driving we were driving in town and at a speed of only about 15-25 mph and we were not on the free way or at high speed. Per Toyota the part required are cylinder assembly brake and brake pump assembly. Cost to repair these parts per Toyota would be estimated at $2700. Local dealership wouldn't do anything until it registered the code again. The dealership service advisor, said until the code is triggered again they wouldn't do anything. Also after the code was reset the brakes worked normal again. This in my opinion is a safety issue!

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #329

Mar 102020

Prius

  • 74,000 miles
I was driving at a speed around 60 mph and had to break suddenly and the car did not break right away and took more than normal to slow down. I just had the inspection a month ago and I was said I had plenty of breaks left.

- Frisco, TX, USA

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